I had a couple of thoughts this morning, and decided to write this column before my tai chi class, which will put it all behind me.

This weekend past was big.  On Saturday, Sarah Palin spoke to her Tea Party fans at their first National Convention.  Now I'll be honest and tell you, I like Sarah Palin.  Don't gasp, please. 

 I like her.  Not her politics or her interviews or the fact that she hunts (though I agree with the right to hunt,) nor would I vote for her.  I like the person who's an imperfect mom with imperfect kids in a frontier state, who has a sense of humor and was smart enough to get out of politics and sign deals ensuring her millions in her future.  I plan on reading her book, as I plan on reading True Compass , though I was no fan of Ted Kennedy, either. 

One of her quotes from the Saturday night speech is from a bumper sticker.  I know this because a Facebook friend in Nebraska commented on it last week.   "How's That Hopey Changey Stuff Working Out?" she asked the adoring crowd.   They must adore bumper stickers, as do I.  My answer is "Better Than That Stay The Course Thing."

Yesterday, I watched the Super Bowl.  For hours.  And that was only the pre-game.  By game time, I was exhausted.  CBS was very slick in marketing.  It spent hours sporting ads about snacks and food and beer, knowing its audience was getting hungrier and thirstier as it consumed the goods.  

I actually felt sorry for the hosts of parties, dealing with a party getting rowdier by the hour.  Pre-game has gotten out of hand.  It's perfect for the marketers.  But fans deserve the best.  Give us 1-2 hours of pre-game, then play. 

I quit going to Super Bowl parties years ago for the reasons mentioned above.  By the time of the game, I couldn't even watch it because everyone was talking.  Loudly.

I don't judge anyone who enjoys these events.  But does anyone really want to watch 6 total hours of "warm up?"  Just remember CBS made millions off those crackers you ate and Bud Lights you chugged yesterday.  At least you got to see and talk to friends at length.

And now, off to tai chi to make this all go away.